Until you have a little one with sensory sensitivities, you may never have noticed the impact of every little noise, colour, or texture. But once you’re a parent to a child who processes sensations differently as they navigate the world, you become attuned to every tiny nuance.
These types of sensitivities are frequently seen in children and adults who are on the autism spectrum. Some healthcare providers categorise these differences under the umbrella of a sensory processing disorder; however, this is not currently an official medical diagnosis.
Sensory sensitivities don’t have to be “too much” sensation, either. Your child may be over-responsive, under-responsive, or have other responses to sensations. This guide will help you as you strive to understand the connection between what’s happening in the outside and inside environment of your little one’s mind.
The different types of sensory sensitivities
When someone is “sensitive” to something, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they get overstimulated by it, or that it’s too much. It means that the response to that situation affects their daily lives.
As the parent of a child with these sensitivities, understanding them can help you adjust the environment and teach your child how to manage their responses.
2 Categories of sensory sensitivities
This overview summarises two main categories of sensory sensitivities often seen in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD):
- Hypersensitivity: Children who are hypersensitive to stimuli can respond in what we might perceive as an exaggerated manner to sensations. This sensitivity might look like a child seeking out a quiet space during a loud social event, preferring a favourite spot on their blanket to rub, or refusing to eat certain foods with a particular texture.
- Hyposensitivity: When a child with hyposensitivity is introduced to a sensation, they might not react as expected. This under-response can be dangerous, especially when the stimulus causes pain or leads the child to look for ways to regulate their sensory systems by seeking strong stimuli.
These examples of sensory sensitivity are generalised. Each child is unique, and their symptoms can look different than the “typical” presentation. Because of the nuances, finding what sets your child’s sensory sensitivity off can be challenging, but once you learn those triggers, it becomes easier to understand the response.
Adjusting to your child’s triggers
For many parents, the ultimate goal for their child’s sensory sensitivity is to get them to acclimate, allowing them to live a mostly “normal” private and public life. Techniques like ABA (applied behavior analysis) therapy help make this possible through the use of strategies like mand and tact, as explained in this article by BehaviorSpan.
However, these are long-term goals. Along the way to reach them, you may need to adjust the environment or recognize sensations that could set off triggers and teach your child how to avoid them.
Here are some examples of being aware and accommodating without isolating your child from social activities and public spaces:
- Children who don’t like to get their hands dirty might still enjoy the activity with gloves. Look for gloves with textures approved by your little one, and model digging in the dirt as you garden, or let them see the joy and pride of creating a fingerpaint “masterpiece.”
- Certain smells can be instantly irritating or painful to those with sensory sensitivities. Offer substitutes with similar nutritional content. When your child is old enough, you can begin teaching them ways to choose foods that are healthy but align with their sensory needs.
- Sounds, even noises that we don’t think are a big deal, can be overwhelming. Consider investing in lightweight noise-blocking headphones. Let your child carry them (when they’re responsible enough) and choose when they need to block some of the sounds around them. Discuss when this is appropriate and when it could be perceived as rude, and provide them with alternative age-appropriate options.
Creating structure and a plan for sensory sensitivities not only helps you avoid the “meltdowns” that often come with them, but it also teaches your child ways to manage what could otherwise become a restriction.
Takeaway
As a parent, you want your little one to be healthy and happy, and adjusting to their sensitivities takes time as you (and they) learn more about what is happening in their growing mind and body.
These early years can be mentally and physically draining. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this on your own or are struggling to find solutions for your child’s specific sensitivities, seek out trained professionals near you or online for additional guidance.
Samantha Green, a psychology graduate from the University of Hertfordshire, has a keen interest in the fields of mental health, wellness, and lifestyle.